Enugu Rangers’ impressive Nigeria Premier Football League campaign is due to self-belief and determination on the part of the players, as well as motivation from the management and the Enugu State Government, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Giving this explanation in a chat with our correspondent, the club’s media officer, Norbert Okolie, added that the Fidelis Ilechukwu-led technical crew also deserves some credit for fashioning out a pattern and making the players play to it without any deviations.

Okolie said he was happy, like every other member of the club, to be in pole position in the NPFL standings, adding that the plan of the coach was to build a strong team this term and challenge for titles next season.

He added that the league was their rivals’ to lose, but that achieving the feat would be extremely celebrated by the Flying Antelopes.

The players’ self-belief and perseverance, along with the encouragement of the management and the Enugu State Government, which make sure everything is in its proper place and that the team has nothing to complain about, are the reasons we are where we are, he added. Not to be overlooked is the technical staff, which develops strategies and makes sure the players follow directions.

“We’re lucky to be at the top of the table. Although winning the league wasn’t our goal, we would be thrilled to end the season as champions. The crown is our competitors’ to lose. Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu intended to assemble a formidable squad this season and contend for the championship the next year. Even if it wasn’t our primary goal from the beginning, we are glad that we are at the top of the pile and that our efforts are having an impact.

With 57 points from 17 victories, 6 ties, and 9 losses in 32 games, Rangers are now leading the standings. With one game remaining, they are only two points ahead of champions Enyimba in second place and four points ahead of third-place Remo Stars.